What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways? What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazards? (Answer in 150 words)

Introduction:

• Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on highways in India primarily uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, implemented through the FASTag system. Vehicles equipped with RFID tags automatically pay tolls as they pass through ETC lanes.

Advantages of ETC:

1. Reduced Traffic Congestion: ETC enables seamless movement at toll plazas, reducing wait times and fuel consumption.
2. Transparency: It promotes cashless transactions, reducing leakages and ensuring accurate toll collection.
3. Environmental Benefits: ETC reduces vehicular emissions by minimizing idling at toll booths.

Limitations of ETC:

1. Technical Glitches: Scanner failures or issues with RFID tags can cause delays.
2. Limited Coverage: Not all toll plazas are equipped with the necessary infrastructure for RFID-based toll collection.
3. User Adaptation: Limited public awareness and non-adoption by all vehicles slow down full-scale implementation.

Proposed Changes:

• The government plans to transition to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based tolling, where tolls are calculated based on distance traveled.

Potential Hazards:

1. Privacy Concerns: GNSS-based tolling could lead to data privacy issues, as vehicle locations would be tracked.
2. Implementation Costs: Shifting to a GNSS system involves high infrastructure costs and potential technical challenges during the transition.

Conclusion:

• While ETC has streamlined toll collection, transitioning to GNSS-based tolling could further improve efficiency, though challenges like privacy and implementation costs need careful handling.